This book is a great read and will stretch your imagination! The sequel comes out in the spring.
My novelTo the End of Time and Back: An Epic Journeyis available via Amazon and Kindle. It will grab you from the start and carry you to places you have never been. The book contains many diverse ideas and is a great love story filled with adventure and intrigue.Questions? Email me. To read more click here. To go to Amazon, click here.
A number of individuals have sent some wonderful reviews. You can read some ofthem in the Forum Section below. Be sure to read the NEW one!
PJ Demographics – Subscribers in 20 states and 10 countries
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Welcome
I am pleased to have you as a reader. If you enjoy the PJ, please encourage others to subscribe.
If your country is not listed in the demographic section at the end, please let me know so I can update the list.
The next Poetical Journal will be out on Sunday, March 27, 2016.
Lahaina Methodist Church right before worship
Opening Comments from Bob
Beyond Time and Back: Epic Journey: My novel is available via Amazon. It contains stories of deep passion and love. Follow two lovers throughout time as they search for answers. A great love story unfolds through the pages. Trust me, you will never be bored.The sequel will be out in the spring, What's Next?: An Epic Journey.
This Anniversary Issue: This month we begin the 15th year of this publication. In the vignette I provide a brief history of the newsletter. We are again in Hawaii (Maui) for a partial winter sojourn. Obviously, the pictures and poems have a touch of Aloha. There are three poems this month, The Long Haul, Typical Maui Morning,and If only. . .. A BIG Mahalo to each of you for subscribing!
Subscriber Residence:PLEASE let me know if your state, providence, or country is not listed in the demographic section at the end.
Next Month: The next issue will be out on March 27, 2016.
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.Three Poems this Month
The Long Haul
Above the white fluff, deep blue pervades.
Six hours and thirty minutes of endless sky becomes monotonous.
Most turn to the seatback movies or read the long forgotten novel.
A few pour over their computer screens or smart phones playing games or doing work.
At long last, in the distance the greens of Aloha are seen.
Passengers begin to smile in anticipation knowing that feet will soon touch on enchanted earth.
Comment: The direct flight is a long one from Salt Lake City. I accomplished much on it including proofing my newest book. However, as the passengers spotted the islands in the distance a whole change in attitude occurred, one of anticipation.
Typical Maui Morning
Haleakala stands towering above enchanted Maui.
Details remain muted by the vog from erupting Mount Kilauea fifty-three miles away.
The sky maintains the traditional azure blue. as the sun peeks over the summit.
Beauty abounds wherever one glances.
Even more, a spirit resides on this legendary island touching each soul with its magnificence.
Comment: The first large picture below shows the scene that inspired this poem. I continue to refer to Maui as the enchanted isle.
If Only . . .
If only words could truly translate the beauty the senses bestow, this poet would rejoice.
How does one convey the myriad of hues reflected in the sunlit rolling waves or the soothing rat-a-tat-tat of a spring shower on a metal roof?
Can one really describe the sensory overload while running one’s fingers over the smooth curves of a lover’s skin, or the smile brought to the soul when inhaling the scent from a thousand roses?
If only . . .
Comment: Like you, day in and day out I have experiences that cannot truly be explained with words. This poem comments on that reality.
This time of year many bougainvillea bushes are in bloom and seen along the road and yards
Small eating area of the Garden Cafe, Makawao– delicious food, especially the teriyaki chicken
Kula Country Farmstand in Upcountry– delicious homegrown strawberries and the freshest vegetables.
A former tree limb stands guard over the bay.
My books and products are purchasable online.
My work currently appears in seven books. Four are offered for sale online. To order any of the four, click here. The newest Beyond Time and Back (2015) is currently available through Amazon.
A Respite in Time (2012) This 184 page book consists of vignettes, mostly one or two pages in length, which provide thoughtful comments on life. They have appeared in this newsletter over the years. The costs are $15 (PB) and $24 (HB) plus shipping. To order, click here.
Lit Bit (2011) is a small anthology that includes three of my poems and three of my photographs. The cover photo is also mine. The cost is $10 plus shipping. (No longer available.)
A Slice from the Apple with the Taste of Poetry (2010) is an anthology of poems written by members of the Apple Valley Poets, a very talented group that formed almost eleven years ago. This book contains a wide variety of poetical genres and will appeal to all lovers of poetry. The cost is $10 plus shipping. (No longer available.)
An Oasis in a Cluttered World (2006) is a book that allows you chapter by chapter to immerse yourself in a quiet refuge as you forget the chaos of the world. Through poems, vignettes, and recommendations it beckons you to let go, relax, and savor life’s many riches. The cost is $11 for paperback and $18 for hardcover. To order, click here.
Wisdom from the Journey (2004) As stated on the cover leaf, “My wish is that this reading journey will provide you with a bit of respite from everyday life, generate a few laughs, cause good feelings about yourself and humanity, encourage introspection, and at certain times twinge your conscience on critical issues and thoughts. Upon reading the last page, I hope you will smile and say, That felt good! The cost is $10 for paperback and $17 for hardcover. To order, click here.
The Wanderer: A Poetical Journey (2002) is my first book. You join me on my around the world trip that I took in 2001. The cost is $5.50 for soft cover. (I have sold out of the hardback version. It still can be ordered through Author House.) To order the soft cover., click here.
Supporting the efforts of the Poetical Journal is greatly appreciated! To support, click here.
To view the product page of other unique gifts, pleaseclick here.
A view from the Maui townhouse I rented. The muted shape in the background is Mt. Haleakala. Vog, volcanic ash, is high causing a haze. You can see the sun rising over the mountain. Today the trade winds will blow the vog out. (The second poem describes this event.)
Peering toward west Maui from our townhouse beach.
Vignette this Month: A Bit of PJ History
Fourteen years ago on February 10, 2002 the first issue of the Poetical Journal was emailed to a small group of friends. It was two pages. From that first mailing about 31 decided to give the fledgling e-zine a try, especially since it was free. For several months, the PJ came out twice a month. By Issue 3, there was a web version but no pictures. The first pictorial issue started with Issue 40, December 24, 2004. Since then, photographs have played a large role in the web publication. In 2012, new format options were offered to subscribers. They could continue to receive the PJ in the traditional format that had been used since its inception or choose a revised version, which allowed readers to click on links that most interested them. The vast majority chose the revised version. In 2015, as part of a financial decision, the traditional format was eliminated and all subscribers simply receive a general announcement and a web link.
Of the current subscribers over ninety-three percent have subscribed for twelve years or more. An unsubscribe is rare with less than 15 in 2015. The majority of those occurred during the format change earlier in the year. On average at least 35% of the subscribers open the newsletter. I have no idea how long they spend reading it. I sense that most do a quick skim. However, some have emailed me that they read it all, something unusual for an online newsletter or blog especially since the average PJ is over ten printed pages. Click hereto view one of the first web issues–my how times change. (Back then putting pictures into a newsletter was very difficult. Besides highspeed internet was just coming into existence.)
Over the decades I have removed thousands from the subscriber list due to the fact that the newsletter was never opened. Also, one year I had difficulties with Yahoo and could not obtain help correcting it. Over 3,000 subscribers were eliminated to take care of that problem. On the plus side, the reductions in numbers saved me hundreds of dollars in emailing costs.
The biggest plus is having the opportunity to interact with individuals. Two special subscribers I have watched grow from teenagers to women, both now married. Others have written and shared their poetry. A few of those poems appeared in my book An Oasis in a Cluttered World. Some subscribers have taken me into their confidence when dealing with personal issues. While others on a given moment share their excitement whether it is over birds or the arrival of spring.
The PJ has now ventured on to new frontiers with the Facebook and Twitter. Over 3,000 have the option to open the newsletter.
In closing, it has been quite a ride! Thank you for coming with me.
If you have a guest vignette you would like to submit, please do so. Not only will I enjoy reading it, but if agreeable with you and space permitting, I will print it in a future issue. The vignette should be written in paragraph form and relate a personal story or event. Equally important, it should fit the overall tenor of this newsletter. Ideally, it should not exceed twenty lines. Please send to bob@poeticaljourneys.com.
A glorious view of uncrowded Baldwin Beach – 1.5 miles long
........Keawala'i Congregational Church, Makena, Maui: The church pictured following Sunday service.
Recommendations
Lori C. Unfus is s local artist with reasonably priced work available. She describes her art as "folk painting Maui style." She has her own studio but also sells her work at the weekly Maui Swap Meet each Saturday. (This island institution is a wonderful place to purchase authentic Maui crafts, food, and souvenirs.) To email her, click here.
Sala Dang Thai Cafe, Haiku, Maui: We discovered this neat little restaurant just as you come into the least visited town on Maui, Haiku. (You have to look closely as it is not easy to spot.) The food was delicious. Large servings. Good value for the money. The origin of restaurant was a food truck called Tuk Tuk Thai. Following its success the restaurant came into being about a year ago. Food will be spiced according to your desires. I will return to this place a number of times during our stay. SADLY, now closed (2019).
Please also take a look at the online book and gift page.
Two artists trying to capture the view of west Maui
A quiet place to read
Our picnic area in Upcountry, Maui–looking toward West Maui and the Pacific below
–..Quotable Quotes
"Life isn't perfect, but it is still good." - Re: An old quilting tradition about leaving a mistake in the quilt (Thanks to G.L. for this quote)
"Loving people live in a loving world. Hostile people live in a hostile world. Same world. How come?" - Wayne Dyer (Spiritual and motivational speaker who recently passed after many years of service to humankind.)
"God does not desire the soul to undertake any labor, but only to take delight in the first fragrance of the flowers. . .the soul can obtain sufficient nourishment from its own garden." -St. Teresa (Catholic nun and humanitarian)
Thanks to Rev. C.B. from Facebook
The only rocks of size on Baldwin Beach
A view from the morning tai chi area
A Bit of Humor
A bit of laughter is healthy for the soul
Animal Joke:
Three turtles, Joe, Steve, and Poncho, decide to go on a picnic. So, Joe packs the picnic basket with cookies, bottled sodas, and sandwiches.
The trouble is, the picnic site is 10 miles away. So it takes the turtles take 10 whole days to get there. By the time they do arrive, everyone's super tired. Joe takes the stuff out of the basket, one by one. He takes out the sodas and says, "Alright, Steve, gimme the bottle opener."
"I didn't bring the bottle opener", Steve says. "I thought you packed it."
Joe gets worried. He turns to Poncho, "Poncho, do you have the bottle opener?"
Naturally, Poncho doesn't have it, so the turtles are stuck ten miles away from home without soda.
Joe and Steve beg Poncho to turn back home and retrieve it, but Poncho flatly refuses, knowing that they'll eat everything by the time he gets back. Somehow, after about two hours, the turtles manage to convince Poncho to go, swearing on their great-grand turtles' graves that they won't touch the food.
So, Poncho sets off down the road, slow and steadily. Twenty days pass, but no Poncho. Joe and Steve are hungry and puzzled, but a promise is a promise.
Another day passes, and still no Poncho, but a promise is a promise. After three more days pass without Poncho in sight, Steve starts getting restless.
"I NEED FOOD!" he says with a hint of panic in his voice.
"NO!" Joe retorts. "We promised."
Five more days pass. Joe realizes that Poncho probably skipped out to the Burger King down the road, so the two turtles weakly lift the lid, pulling out a sandwich, and open their mouths about to eat. But then, right at that instant, Poncho pops out behind a rock, and says, "Just for that, I'm not going!"
